Kamaru Usman Is Back: Who Should the Former Welterweight Champ Face Next?
Kamaru Usman made his long-awaited return to the octagon in the main event of UFC Fight Night: Atlanta, taking on the surging Joaquin Buckley. The former Welterweight Champion had been sidelined for over 18 months, dealing with multiple injuries and coming off a tough three-fight skid, including two losses to Leon Edwards and a razor-close defeat to Khamzat Chimaev. Meanwhile, Buckley has been on a tear since moving down to Welterweight, riding an impressive win streak. Many doubted whether Usman could recapture his old form, but the veteran proved the skeptics wrong. Using his trademark grappling and fight IQ, Usman secured an impressive victory, revitalizing his career and shaking up the division. Now the question is — who should The Nigerian Nightmare face next as he makes one final run at the title?
Belal Muhammad
A matchup between Usman and Belal Muhammad is one of the common answers on several levels. Both are high-level wrestlers with cardio-heavy, pressure-based styles, and their brief history of social media jabs could help sell the fight. With a crowded contender picture at the top of Welterweight and Islam Makhachev making the move up in weight, the title scene is murky. Usman’s win over Buckley was impressive, but it won’t launch him back into the top contender spot just yet. A bout against the currently ranked Muhammad would not only be a stylistic chess match, but would also serve as a clear title eliminator for both men.
Sean Brady
Another intriguing option is Sean Brady. The rising contender is a grappling specialist who recently pulled off a massive win against Edwards, dominating the former champion on the ground. While there’s no existing rivalry between Usman and Brady, the fight would be a high-stakes clash between two of the division’s strongest grapplers. Though it might lack the built-in drama of a Muhammad matchup, it would still be a compelling bout for fans and an important fight in determining the next title challenger.
Final Thoughts
Usman defied the odds with a statement win over a rising contender, but his path back to the Welterweight title won’t be easy. The division is currently packed with top-tier talent jockeying for position, and the UFC needs to prioritize booking meaningful matchups to clear up the logjam at the top. Whether it’s Muhammad or Brady, Usman’s next opponent should be a top-five contender that can solidify his status as a title threat — or mark the final chapter in one of MMA’s greatest careers. Either way, Usman's next fight will be crucial in determining whether he remains a true force in the division or passes the torch to the next generation.
